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Park District, School Officials Try To Work Out Rental Pact For Fields

May 13, 1999|By Morgan Luciana Danner.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — For more than 25 years, the Arlington Heights Park District has used Elementary District 25 school property for its soccer and baseball programs.

As the Park District looks to make the long-term pact a formal one, commissioners Tuesday expressed concerns why an agreement isn't a shoo-in to ensure survival of the soccer program.

Park officials said without the fields, the district's soccer program--which involves 3,300 participants in the fall and 2,500 in spring--and its spring baseball program, with 3,000 players, might have to scale back.

District 25's seven soccer and four baseball fields at six schools supplement multiple fields in the Park District's 16 parks.

Park District Executive Director Gerald Oakes on Tuesday told the Park Board that his staff and District 25 officials have been meeting the past two months to hash out an agreement, but talks recently came to a standstill.

Park officials said they fear the school district is considering renting the fields to outside groups. On Tuesday, the Park Board directed staff to draft a letter asking District 25 to explain its side.